Expert: Lake Hopatcong boa is green anaconda

In this file photo, an anaconda snake at the Oklahoma City Zoo has dental floss taped to it's head and along it's body as it is measured. The floss and tape are necessary because it would be nearly impossible to stretch out the snake. This anaconda weighed 152 lbs. and measured 16 feet. An expert says the snake that he saw in Lake Hopatcong was an anaconda.
(Photo:
AP
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HOPATCONG – The Lake Hopatcong boa constrictor who has been reportedly seen in the Capp Cove section of the lake during the past two weeks is a green anaconda - the world's largest snake - according to the expert who saw it.

"It's a green anaconda. I have 20-plus years of experience, I know one when I see one," said Gerald Andrejcak, a reptile specialist who works for Common Sense for Animals nonprofit in Warren County. "I saw the head, the spot pattern, the coloration. I saw the snake."

Andrejcak admits feeling around for a boa constrictor is potentially very dangerous.

"But I know what I'm doing," he said. "I know all the variants. Better me than someone who doesn't know what to do."

As of now, Andrejcak said the snake is not aggressive, because it swam through his legs instead of grabbing him.

By looking at the head size, Andrejcak estimated the snake is 14 to 16 feet in length.

Andrejcak said he's been following the story since initial reports and even before he saw it, the locations where it was seen indicated to him it was likely an anaconda.

When Andrejcak told Jefferson Township Animal Control his thoughts, he was asked to simply say it was a boa constrictor to not cause a panic in the community.

An anaconda is a member of the boa constrictor family.

"I was asked not to release that," Andrejcak said. "I understand why they asked that. I'm not saying I agreed with it."

Calls to animal control this week have not been returned.

Andrejcak is now going public because the homeowner of the boat house where the snake was found was worried for his family's safety.

"When he found out I didn't catch it he was distraught," Andrejcak said. "He has young kids he's worried about."

Andrejcak said it was the homeowner's decision to release the fact that the snake was an anaconda, and he did so in order to draw a larger response to the situation.

Now that the word is out that the snake is an anaconda, Andrejcak expects even more attention, which may force it to move from its current location.

"If you put a lot of boats in the area, it's going to want to go somewhere quieter," Andrejcak said, adding he is hopeful the matter can be resolved without the snake dying. "I don't want to see it get hurt, but I also don't want to see any people get hurt."

While Andrejcak has a plan to catch the snake, he admits catching an anaconda rarely goes as planned.

"There is no simple way to attack it, but ultimately I'd like to catch the head, support the midriff, get it on land and take it to a sanctuary," Andrejcak said. "But the chances of that happening are slim to none. I'll probably end up dragging it out by its tail and get a good bite. That's why I caution people to stay away if you see it."

Andrejcak said he believes an owner released the snake, and he hopes that person is found and changes are filed.

Staff Writer Michael Izzo: 973-428-6636; mizzo@dailyrecord.com

REWARD:

The Daily Record will pay $250 to the first person who can provide us with a photo or video of the boa constrictor said to be living in Lake Hopatcong. Contact Joe Ungaro at 973-428-6624 or at jungaro@njpressmedia.com.